Host genetics and environment shape the gut microbiome of Euschistus heros and Piezodorus guildinii and potentially influencing their adaptation

BackgroundEuschistus heros and Piezodorus guildinii are major soybean pests across the Americas. Gut-associated bacteria influence insect nutrition, detoxification, and stress tolerance, potentially enhancing adaptation to diverse hosts and management regimes. We investigated how host genetics and environment shape gut microbiome structure and functional potential in these species.ResultsWe sequenced the 16S rRNA V4 region from 189 insects collected across Brazil and the United States. Microbiom